Ukrainian court sentences controversial blogger to 3.5 years prison

Ruslan Kotsaba was accused of ‘high treason’ and obstructing the work of the armed forces

Ivano-Frankivsk city court sentenced journalist Ruslan Kotsaba to 3,5 years of prison.

The journalist was sentenced under article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Hindering the activities of Ukrainian Armed Forces and other military forces).

Mitigating circumstances are first record and two under aged children.

Considering the fact that Kotsaba has been in detention center since February 7, 2015, he has only one year left to serve.

The prosecution will consider a possibility of appeal after studying the verdict.

State prosecution demanded that the journalist be sentenced to 13 years of prison with confiscation of property under the article “high treason”.

The criminal case against Kotsaba was initiated after he announced an information campaign “I am against mobilization”. International human rights organizations, as well as Ukrainian ombudsman encouraged to release the journalist.